More than 8,000 earn degrees this fall

As Liberty University students enjoy their Winter Break and look forward to holiday celebrations, a number of their peers have one more reason to rejoice this season: graduation.

According to Liberty’s Registrar’s Office, about 8,500 students completed their degrees during the Summer and Fall 2013 semesters. This includes an estimated 4,350 undergraduate and 4,150 graduate students who will receive diplomas in January. Of these there are approximately 1,300 military graduates.

Several nursing student graduates were recognized during a winter pinning ceremony on Dec. 13.

Thanks to the Liberty University Online education program, some of this semester’s graduates finished as early as October.

“Because of our online programs, we have folks graduating every eight weeks,” said Lori Baker, associate registrar for operations. “We are conferring degrees year-round.”

Since May’s Commencement, 7,225 have received degrees online.

All summer and fall graduates are invited to attend the 2014 Commencement exercises on May 10, joining this year’s graduating class of an estimated 17,000 students.

Military graduates are also invited to the Military Graduate Recognition Ceremony, organized by Liberty’s Office of Military Affairs, which will be held after the 2014 Baccalaureate service on May 9.